H 706 allows Idaho local governments to permit apartment buildings (specifically residential group R-2) to have a single stairway for emergency exits, subject to strict safety requirements. These requirements include building height limits (max 6 stories without an occupiable roof), a maximum of four units per floor, mandatory fire sprinkler systems meeting NFPA 13 standards, and detailed stairway specifications like 48-inch width and 2-hour fire resistance. The bill also updates local building code adoption rules, requiring jurisdictions to implement specific versions of the International Building Code by 2027. This change primarily affects new apartment construction in Idaho, offering potential cost savings for developers while maintaining enhanced safety standards.
This Idaho bill requires cities with more than 10,000 residents to allow starter home subdivisions by February 1, 2027, which are residential developments on at least four acres featuring smaller lots up to 1,500 square feet and compact homes. The law prohibits cities from enforcing ordinances that ban these subdivisions and sets specific limits on lot sizes, setbacks, and fees to make development more affordable while maintaining neighborhood compatibility. Cities retain the ability to deny approvals if infrastructure cannot support the development and must still comply with existing health, safety, and environmental regulations. The measure applies only to incorporated cities and does not affect historic districts or properties designated as historic landmarks.
This bill eliminates the proration of Idaho's homestead property tax exemption, allowing homeowners to receive the full exemption amount for the entire tax year if they qualify. It applies to owners who use their primary residence as their main dwelling and meet specific eligibility requirements, including uniform property appraisal certification by the state tax commission. Under the new rules, the exemption is calculated based on the full market value reduction rather than being divided by the number of days the property is occupied, and applications must be submitted by the end of the county's business year to receive the full benefit. The law also clarifies that if a homeowner's eligibility status changes during the year, taxes will be prorated only for the period after the status change occurs.
This bill updates Idaho law to allow accessory dwelling units (ADUs) in single-family homes and restricts restrictions that would ban them. It prohibits homeowner associations from enforcing rules that strictly forbid ADUs, except when property owners agree in writing to such restrictions. For cities with populations over 10,000, the bill requires local governments to allow one internal or detached ADU per lot in single-family zones by February 2027. Local governments must also stop imposing higher fees, stricter parking rules, or smaller size limits on ADUs compared to primary homes. The law ensures ADU projects are approved automatically if they meet standard zoning requirements, while still allowing cities to adopt less restrictive rules if they choose.
This bill creates two main requirements for Idaho: it mandates annual audits of refugee resettlement services by state-registered organizations, requiring detailed reports on refugee demographics, housing, and health statistics, while also prohibiting these organizations from assisting illegal aliens. Additionally, it requires all law enforcement agencies to verify and record the immigration status and nationality of every arrested individual, with biannual reports filed to the state controller containing crime statistics and transfer information to federal authorities. The bill applies to entities providing refugee services and all state and local law enforcement agencies, with enforcement mechanisms including potential withholding of state funding for noncompliance.
This bill updates Idaho state laws to allow manufactured homes to be placed on single-family residential lots, in addition to existing mobile home parks and subdivisions. It clarifies definitions for manufactured homes versus mobile homes and requires local governments to revise their comprehensive plans and zoning regulations to permit this siting option. The legislation also establishes specific placement standards for manufactured homes outside of parks, including minimum square footage, foundation requirements, roof design, and exterior appearance guidelines that must match surrounding homes. Local governments retain the ability to apply additional development standards that would apply to conventional single-family homes on the same lots, while the bill prohibits standards that unreasonably discourage needed housing.
This Idaho bill (H 707) creates a streamlined administrative process for splitting land containing an approved or existing accessory dwelling unit (ADU) or secondary structure, primarily affecting homeowners, builders, and lenders. It allows counties or cities to bypass full subdivision requirements if a lender verifies the split is needed for financing, provided the division doesn’t increase density, create new lots, or compromise access/utility. The process requires recording with the county and includes restrictions preventing further divisions or violations of zoning rules. The bill explicitly prohibits using this process for agricultural fragmentation or "subdivisions by another name," and takes effect on July 1, 2026.
This bill requires the Idaho Housing and Finance Association to submit annual reports on how it uses federal housing and homelessness assistance funds. Starting July 1, 2026, the association must detail spending, outcomes, and specific data about individuals and households served under two federal programs: the Continuum of Care program and the Emergency Solutions Grant program. The reports will include information on funding amounts, expenses, services provided, and where participants ended up after receiving assistance, while ensuring all personal information is removed to protect privacy. These reports must be sent to the governor and state legislature and made available on a public website by February of each year.
Idaho's H 760 revises property tax exemptions for low-income housing owned by nonprofit organizations. It requires qualifying nonprofits to meet specific criteria, including federal 501(c)(3) status and ensuring no private benefit from tax exemptions. The bill mandates that 55% of units must rent to residents earning ≤60% of local median income, 20% to those earning ≤50%, and 25% to those earning ≤30%, with annual compliance reports to counties. It also adds protections preventing evictions for three months after certified medical emergencies and prohibits the exemption for properties with financing closed by July 1, 2026, unless undergoing rehabilitation.
This bill requires cities in Idaho with populations over 10,000 to allow twin homes and duplexes in residential zones where single-family homes are permitted, unless those areas are designated as historic districts. The law mandates that local governments update their land use regulations by February 1, 2027, to permit these housing types, remove lot size restrictions that would block their construction, and limit parking and fee requirements to levels comparable to single-family homes. Cities must approve twin homes and duplexes through administrative processes similar to single-family dwellings, provided they meet standard infrastructure and safety requirements, while retaining the ability to adopt less restrictive rules or maintain protections for public health and safety.
